Press-fit handle assembly

Abstract

The specification discloses a lawn and garden sprayer in which the sprayer-valve assembly is joined to a rigid plastic handle by a threadless handle nut. The specification also discloses a method whereby the plastic handle, having an opening therein of slightly smaller dimensions than the handle nut, is ,joined to the handle nut by heating the plastic handle such that the handle nut can be forcibly inserted and intimately attached to the handle.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank, to a coupler to which said hose is connected;   said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge and having an annular stop-shoulder located on one side of said at least one annular projecting ridge and being larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge;   a rigid plastic handle, including at least one nonthreaded opening therein for receiving said coupler, said opening in said handle being smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of said at least one annular projecting ridge, said coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, being force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said nonthreaded opening; and   said stop-shoulder limits the extent to which said coupler fits into said nonthreaded opening.   
     
     
       2. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 1, wherein said plastic handle is made of glass reinforced polypropylene, having a thermal deflection temperature of 255° F. with a load of 264 psi. 
     
     
       3. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 1, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a barb-like configuration. 
     
     
       4. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank;   a rigid plastic handle made of glass-reinforced polypropylene, having a thermal deflection temperature of 255° F. with a load of 264 psi, and having at least one nonthreaded opening therein;   a coupler connected to one end of said hose, external said tank, and disposed in said nonthreaded opening in said rigid plastic handle, said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said opening;   said coupler including an annular stop-shoulder, located behind said at least one annular projecting ridge and being larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge such that said stop-shoulder limits the extent to which said coupler can be inserted into said nonthreaded opening in said handle.   
     
     
       5. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 4, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a barb-like configuration. 
     
     
       6. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 5, wherein said barb-like ridge includes a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of said coupler into said opening in said handle to facilitate insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of said coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       7. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 6, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a plurality of barb-like ridges and wherein each said barb-like ridge includes a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of said coupler into said nonthreaded opening in said handle to facilitate insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of said coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       8. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 7, in which said handle is sleeve-like in configuration, including an inner passageway extending from one end thereof to the other; said dispensing hose extending substantially through said inner passageway and terminating proximate said nonthreaded opening for receiving said coupler. 
     
     
       9. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 8, in which a portion of said coupler projects from said plastic handle, and a spray-wand assembly is secured to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       10. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 9, wherein said coupler comprises a handle nut including a tube running therethrough, one end of said tube being connected to said dispensing hose, the other end of said tube being connected to said spray-wand assembly, said at least one annular projecting ridge being located on said handle nut. 
     
     
       11. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 10, which said stop-shoulder is also located on said handle nut. 
     
     
       12. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 11, wherein said coupler includes three adjacent barb-like ridges and a spaced, fourth barb-like-ridge. 
     
     
       13. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 4, in which a portion of said coupler projects from said plastic handle, and a spray-wand assembly is secured to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       14. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 13, wherein said coupler comprises a handle nut including a tube running therethrough, one end of said tube being connected to said dispensing hose, the other end of said tube being connected to said spray-wand assembly, said at least one annular projecting ridge .being located on said handle nut. 
     
     
       15. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 14, in which said handle is sleeve-like in configuration, including an inner passageway extending from one end thereof to the other; said dispensing hose extending substantially through said inner passageway terminating proximate said nonthreaded opening for receiving said coupler. 
     
     
       16. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 14, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge includes three adjacent barb-like ridges and a spaced, fourth barb-like ridge. 
     
     
       17. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 16, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a plurality of barb-like ridges and wherein each said barb-like ridge includes a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of said coupler into said opening in said handle to facilitate insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of said coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       18. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank;   a rigid plastic handle made of glass-reinforced polypropylene, having a thermal deflection temperature of 255° F. with a load of 264 psi, and having at least one nonthreaded opening therein;   a coupler connected to one end of said hose, external said tank, and disposed in said nonthreaded opening in said rigid plastic handle, said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said opening;   said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a barb-like configuration including a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of said coupler into said opening in said handle to facilitate insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of said coupler from said handle.   
     
     
       19. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 18, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge includes three adjacent barb-like ridges and a spaced, fourth barb-like ridge. 
     
     
       20. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 19, wherein said at least one annular projecting ridge comprises a plurality of barb-like ridges and wherein each said barb-like ridge includes a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of said coupler into said opening in said handle to facilitate insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of said coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       21. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank;   a rigid plastic handle made of glass-reinforced polypropylene, having a thermal deflection temperature of 255° F. with a load of 264 psi, and having at least one nonthreaded opening therein;   a coupler connected to one end of said hose, external said tank, and disposed in said nonthreaded opening in said rigid plastic handle, said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge having a barb-like configuration force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said opening;   said handle is sleeve-like in configuration, including an inner passageway extending from one end thereof to the other; said dispensing hose extending substantially through said inner passageway and terminating proximate said nonthreaded opening for receiving said coupler.   
     
     
       22. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 21, in which a portion of said coupler projects from said plastic handle, and a spray-wand assembly is secured to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       23. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 22, wherein said coupler comprises a handle nut including a tube running therethrough, one end of said tube being connected to said dispensing hose, the other end of said tube being connected to said spray-wand assembly, said at least one annular projecting ridge being located on said handle nut. 
     
     
       24. The lawn and garden sprayer of claim 23, wherein said handle nut also includes a stop-shoulder. 
     
     
       25. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank-such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank;   a coupler connected to an end of said hose, external said tank, said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge;   a rigid plastic handle, including at least one nonthreaded opening therein for receiving said coupler, said opening in said handle being smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of said at least one annular projecting ridge, said coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said opening; and   a portion of said coupler projects from said plastic handle, and a spray-wand assembly is secured to said projecting portion of said coupler.   
     
     
       26. A method of joining a lawn and garden sprayer hose coupled to a handle comprising: providing the hose coupler with at least one annular projecting ridge;   providing a rigid plastic handle having a nonthreaded opening in at least one end thereof for receiving said coupler, said opening and the coupler being so dimensioned relative to one another that the coupler will not fit into said opening Without the application of force;   heating said plastic handle to render the plastic material thereof impressionable; and   forcing the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, into said handle opening, whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge becomes embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said handle opening to thereby help hold the coupler in place within said handle opening.   
     
     
       27. The method of claim 26, wherein said plastic handle is heated to approximately 110° to 120° F. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27, wherein the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, is forced into said heated plastic handle with approximately 250 psi of pressure. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 28, which includes configuring said at least one annular projecting ridge in a barb-like configuration, with a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of the coupler into said opening and said handle to facilitate said insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of the coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 29, which includes providing said at least one annular projecting ridge with three adjacent barb-like ridges and a spaced fourth, barb-like ridge. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30, which includes providing an annular stop-shoulder on the coupler, behind said at least one annular projecting ridge, which is larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge to limit the extent to which the coupler can be inserted into said nonthreaded opening in said handle. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31, which includes leaving a portion of the coupler projecting frown said handle and securing a sprayer wand assembly to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, which includes providing said rigid plastic handle with a sleeve-like in configuration, having a passageway extending from one end thereof to the other, said nonthreaded opening in said handle comprising one end of said passageway; and passing said dispensing hose through said passageway in said handle and securing it to the coupler prior to forcing the coupler, including said annular projecting ridge, into said handle opening. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 33, which includes making said plastic handle of glass reinforced polypropylene, having a thermal deflection temperature of 225° F. with a load of 264 psi. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 28, which includes providing an annular stop-shoulder on the coupler, behind said at least one annular projecting ridge, which is larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge to limit the extent to which the coupler can be inserted into said nonthreaded opening in said handle. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 35, which includes leaving a portion of said coupler projecting from said handle and securing a sprayer wand assembly to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 35, which includes providing said rigid plastic handle with a sleeve-like configuration, having a passageway extending from one end thereof to the other, said nonthreaded opening in said handle comprising one end of said passageway; and passing said dispensing hose through said passageway in said handle and securing it to the coupler prior to forcing the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, into said handle opening.   
     
     
       38. The method of claim 26, which includes providing an annular stop-shoulder on the coupler, behind said at least one annular projecting ridge, which is larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge to limit the extent to which the coupler can be inserted into said nonthreaded opening in said handle. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 32, which includes leaving a portion of the coupler projecting from said handle and securing a sprayer wand assembly to said projecting portion of said coupler. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 39, which includes providing said rigid plastic handle with a sleeve-like configuration, having a passageway extending from one end thereof to the other, said nonthreaded opening in said handle comprising one end of said passageway; and passing said dispensing hose through said passageway in said handle and securing it to the coupler prior to forcing the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge into said handle opening.   
     
     
       41. The method of claim 26, wherein said coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, is forced into said heated plastic handle with approximately 250 psi of pressure. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 41, which includes configuring said at least one annular projecting ridge in a barb-like configuration, with a leading surface sloping in the direction of insertion of the coupler into said opening and said handle to facilitate said insertion, and a rear surface which is at least vertical to resist withdrawal of the coupler from said handle. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 42, which includes providing said at least one annular projecting ridge with three adjacent barb-like ridges and a spaced fourth, barb-like ridge. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 41, which includes providing an annular stop-shoulder on the coupler, behind said at least one annular projecting ridge, which is larger in diameter than said at least one annular projecting ridge to limit the extent to which the coupler can be inserted into said nonthreaded opening in said handle. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 44, which includes providing said rigid plastic handle with a sleeve-like configuration, having a passageway extending from one end thereof to the other, said nonthreaded opening in said handle comprising one end of said passageway; and passing said dispensing hose through said passageway in said handle and securing it to the coupler prior to forcing the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, into said handle opening.   
     
     
       46. The method of claim 26, which includes providing said rigid plastic handle with a sleeve-like configuration, having a passageway extending from one end thereof to the other, said nonthreaded opening in said handle comprising one end of said passageway; and passing said dispensing hose through said passageway in said handle and securing it to the coupler prior to forcing the coupler, including said at least one annular projecting ridge, into said handle opening.   
     
     
       47. A lawn and garden sprayer comprising: a liquid-dispensing tank for holding the desired liquid to be applied;   a dispensing hose extending from said tank such that fluid communication is possible between said hose and said tank, to a coupler to which said hose is connected;   said coupler including at least one annular projecting ridge having a barb-like configuration; and   a rigid plastic handle, including at least one nonthreaded opening therein for receiving said coupler, said opening in said handle being smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of said at least one annular projecting ridge, said coupler including said at least one annular projecting ridge, being force-fit into said opening whereby said at least one annular projecting ridge is embedded in the plastic material circumscribing said nonthreaded opening.